4:20 p.m. update:

A child playing with a cigarette lighter started a brushfire Wednesday afternoon in southern Spanish Springs, the Sparks Fire Department reported.

The fire burned about an acre in grass and whitetops near Vista del Rancho Parkway, the fire department said. At one point crews feared it was burning too close to the Spanish Hills Apartments, so additional fire crews were called. But the fire was contained with 19 minutes, the fire department said.

The fire could have caused more damage, but light winds help keep the fire from spreading, the fire department said.

The department reminded people to be cautious with fire in brush and trees near residential areas.

"Drought conditions have caused vegetation in these areas to be extremely dry, and the potential for fires to start and rapidly advance are high," the department said in a statement.

Sixteen Sparks fire personnel responded and three from the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District also helped out.

2:28 p.m. update

Fire crews are canceling calls for additional fire engines and report no buildings are being threatened.

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A fire is burning is Spanish Springs and the first crew on the scene reports at least one structure is threatened by fire

The fire is near Vista Del Rancho Parkway at the south end of the valley. It is between Sparks Boulevard and Vista Boulevard.

The initial report is that the fire is about a quarter to half acre and is burning mostly in brush. A fire crew reports having success with initial attack on the fire.